Color changing payment card

ABSTRACT

A method includes receiving, on an electronic payment device, a radio frequency signal from a mobile electronic device. The radio frequency signal is used to control an activation of an electric current to one or more color producing components on the electronic payment device. The electric current is transmitted to the one or more color producing components. The one or more color producing components display a color when the electric current is transmitted to the color producing components.

BACKGROUND

Payment cards are ubiquitous in the world today and provide a convenientway for users of the payment cards to purchase goods and services. Thepayment cards are typically issued to the users by a bank or other typeof financial institution. As used in this disclosure, payment cardsinclude both credit cards and debit cards. Credit cards permit users topurchase goods and services using credit. Debit cards permit users toaccess the user's bank or other financial account to purchase goods andservices. Debit cards typically function like a check.

Most payment cards have spending limits for users of the payment cards.The spending limits are associated with a financial history of theusers. However, when making purchases, many users are not cognizant ofhow close they may be to the spending limit of their payment card.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a method implemented on anelectronic payment device, the method comprising: on the electronicpayment device, receiving a radio frequency signal from a mobileelectronic device; using the radio frequency signal to control anactivation of an electric current to one or more color producingcomponents on the electronic payment device; and transmitting theelectric current to the one or more color producing components, whereinthe one or more color producing components display a color when theelectric current is transmitted to the color producing components.

In another aspect, a credit card comprises: a plastic base; a radiofrequency identification (RFID) device; a power source; one or moreswitching components; and one or more financial status indicationcomponents, wherein the one or more switching components are triggeredby a frequency from the RFID device, the one or more switchingcomponents controlling an electric current from the power source to theone or more financial status indication components, and wherein the oneor more financial indication components provide an indication of acredit account status for the credit card.

In yet another aspect, a method implemented on a credit card comprises:receiving, by a radio frequency identification component on the creditcard, a radio frequency signal from a mobile electronic device, theradio frequency signal being of a frequency corresponding to a creditcard account status for a user of the credit card; using the radiofrequency signal to control an activation of one or more electricalswitching components on the credit card, each electrical switchingcomponent being configured to connect one or more wires or foil stripsinto an electrical circuit on the credit card, a determination of whichof the one or more switching components to be activated being based onthe frequency of the radio frequency signal; after the one or moreelectrical switching components are activated, generating an electriccurrent from a power source on the credit card to the one or moreconnected wires or foil strips; and when the electric current isgenerated, producing a color in the one or more connected wires or foilstrips, the color being dependent on an electrical resistance of each ofthe connected wires or foil strips, the color being representative ofthe credit card account status for the user.

The details of one or more techniques are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features, objects, andadvantages of these techniques will be apparent from the description,drawings, and claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example system that supports a color changing credit ordebit card.

FIG. 2 shows an example electric circuit for a color producing materialof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows another example electric circuit for the color producingmaterial of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows another example system that supports a color changingcredit or debit card.

FIG. 5 shows an example mechanical color display of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows an example configuration for the mechanical color displayof FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 shows an example electric circuit for the mechanical colordisplay of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 shows yet another example system that supports a color changingcredit or debit card.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of an example method for initiating a displayof a user's credit card account status on the credit card of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an example method for displaying a colorrepresenting a user's credit card account status on the credit card ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 11 shows example physical components of the mobile electronicdevice of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for displayinga status of an individual's payment card account. In this disclosure,the individual is referred to as the user. In typical implementations,the status is presented to the user via a color display on the paymentcard. For example, a green color may indicate that an outstandingbalance for the payment card is within a spending limit for the paymentcard, a yellow color may indicate that the card balance is approachingthe spending limit and a red color may indicate that the card balance isover the spending limit. In other implementations, the status ispresented to the user via an electronic display. In this disclosure, thesystems and methods are discussed with regard to credit cards. However,the systems and methods also apply to debit cards.

Typically, the display of the card account status is initiated via asoftware application on a mobile electronic device such as a smarttelephone. When the user activates the software application, typicallyby pressing an icon or button on the mobile electronic device, themobile electronic device transmits an electronic signal to the creditcard. The electronic signal comprises a radio wave of a specificfrequency. The specific frequency corresponds to a card account status.For example one frequency may correspond to a good status, anotherfrequency or may correspond to a borderline status and a third frequencymay correspond to an over the limit status. As explained later in thisdisclosure, each frequency causes the credit card to display a colorindicative of the card account status.

The color display on the credit card may be implemented by one ofseveral methods. In one method, a color producing material may be used.Typically, the color producing material changes color in response toheat. In some implementations, the color producing material is a wire,for example a foil strip. In other implementations, the color producingmaterial is a chemical, for example a gel that changes color in responseto heat. One example of such a gel is a temperature responsive polymer.

In the systems and methods, the heat is generated by passing an electriccurrent through the color producing material. When the color producingmaterial is a foil type of material, the heat is generated in proportionto an amount of electrical resistance in the foil type of material. Thegreater the electrical resistance, the more heat is produced. When thecolor producing material is a gel, the heat is produced when theelectric current flows through the gel. The greater the electriccurrent, the more heat is produced. Different amounts of heat in thefoil type of material and the gel cause different colors to be produced.

In a typical implementation the color producing material is layered ontothe credit card. For example, the color producing material may comprisea transparent foil material. The transparent foil may be wrapped aroundthe credit card, covering the plastic material of the credit card. Aclear film may be wrapped around the transparent foil and pressed intoplace on the credit card. In this implementation, the credit cardcomprises three layers—the plastic of the credit card, the transparentfoil material and the clear film. When a chemical gel material is used,the chemical gel material is substituted for the transparent foilmaterial.

In another implementation, the color producing material may be appliedto only a portion of the credit card, for example around the edges ofthe credit card or in a specific area of the credit card. Otherimplementations are possible.

In a second method, the color display on the credit card may beimplemented via a plurality of contiguous multi-sided mechanical panels.Each multi-sided panel is of a different color. For example, for athree-sided panel, one side may be colored green, a second side may becolored yellow and a third side may be colored red. Each panel may berotated to display one of the three colors. In some implementations, themulti-sided panel may be rotated each time the electric current isactivated. In other implementations, a value or duration of the electriccurrent may determine how many times the multi-sided panel is rotated.In some implementations, when each three-sided panel is rotated once,the color green may be displayed, when each three-sided panel is rotateda second time, the color yellow may be displayed and when eachthree-sided panel is rotated a third time, the color red may bedisplayed. In other implementations, different colors may be displayed.

For the second method, the number of times the multi-sided panels arerotated is based on the frequency of the electric signal received by thecredit card. In one example implementation, one received frequency mayresult in one rotation of the multi-sided panels, another receivedfrequency may result in two rotations of the multi-sided panels and athird received frequency may result in three rotations of themulti-sided panels. Other implementations are possible.

FIG. 1 shows an example system 100 that supports a color changing creditor debit card. The example system 100 includes a server computer 102, amobile electronic device 104 and a credit card 106. The credit card 106includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 108, a power source110, a selector component 112 and a color producing material 114.

The example server computer 102 is typically a server computer at afinancial institution, for example at a bank. The server computer 102provides access to the user's credit card history and provides a creditcard account status for the user.

The example mobile electronic device 104 is typically a smart telephoneor a tablet computer. The mobile electronic device 104 includes afinancial software application. The financial software applicationprovides a display of the user's credit card balance and credit limit.The financial software application also typically includes an icon or abutton that permits activation of a display on the credit card of thecredit card account status for the user. In some implementations, themobile electronic device 104 includes displays an icon for activation ofthe display of the credit card account status on the credit card. Inthis implementation, the user simply presses the icon, instead ofneeding to open the financial software application.

The financial software application also permits the user to set budgetparameters for the credit card or debit card. For example, the user canset a spending limit for the credit card or debit card. The spendinglimit may be set for a specific time frame. For example, the user mayconfigure the credit card or debit card for a maximum spending limit of$500 for the current week or month. Using the systems and methods, thecolor of the credit card or debit card may change depending on how closethe user is to the configured spending limit. In some implementations,the budget parameters may be set using an online or mobile bankingdigital dashboard. In other implementations, the budget parameters maybe set via the financial software application on the mobile electronicdevice 104.

The RFID tag 108 is a radio frequency identification (RFID) device thatis embedded in or attached to the credit card. The RFID tag 108 receivesa radio frequency signal from the mobile electronic device 104 andgenerates a control signal in response to the radio frequency signal.The control signal controls a selection of the selector component 112,as explained later herein.

The radio frequency signal received from the mobile electronic device104 may be of one of several frequencies or in one of several frequencyranges. One frequency or frequency range may correspond to a good creditcard balance for the user, a second frequency or frequency range maycorrespond to a borderline credit card balance and a third frequency orfrequency range may correspond to a credit card balance that is over thecredit card limit for the user. As explained later herein, when theradio frequency signal of the first frequency or first frequency rangeis received, the RFID tag 108 generates a control signal that causes thecredit card to display a color or an image indicating a good credit cardbalance. When the radio frequency signal of the second frequency orsecond frequency range is received, the RFID tag 108 generates a controlsignal that causes the credit card to display a color or an imageindicating a borderline credit card balance. When the radio frequencysignal of the third frequency or third frequency range is received, theRFID tag 108 generates a control signal that causes the credit card todisplay a color or an image indicating a credit card balance that ishigher than the user's credit card limit.

The radio frequency signals generated by the mobile electronic device104 correspond to matching frequencies or frequency ranges on the user'scredit card. The intent is to send the credit card account status to theuser's credit card and not to another person's credit card. An RFIDdevice on the user's credit card is configured to match the frequenciessent from the user's smart telephone. In order to provide bettermatching capability, the RFID tag 108 may accept frequencies in one ofthree frequency ranges rather than requiring one of three specificfrequencies.

In some implementations, an electronic component other than an RFID tagmay be used to communicate with the smart telephone. For example, insome implementations, a thin semiconductor communication chip may beused. The semiconductor communication chip may include logic that mayparse the radio signal frequency and generate the control signal thatcauses the credit card to display a color or display an imagecorresponding to the user's credit card account status.

The power source 110 is typically a battery that is mounted on orembedded in the credit card. The battery provides power that permits acolor to be produced by the color producing material 114. The battery istypically a very small, thin battery that may be attached to or embeddedinto the credit card.

The selector component 112 controls electric current flow into the colorproducing material 114. In some implementations, the selector component112 comprises one or more miniature electrical relays. In otherimplementations, the selector component 112 comprises one or moreminiature solid state relays. In yet other implementations, the selectorcomponent comprises a semiconductor switch. Other implementations arepossible. The selector component 112 is explained in more detail laterherein.

The color producing material 114 may be a foil type of material, achemical gel material or another type of material that generates a colorwhen heated. In addition, the color producing material 114 may be amechanical device that changes color. Other types of color producingmaterials 114 are possible.

When the color producing material 114 is a foil type of material, theselector component 112 selects one of three foil strips or of acombination of one, two or three foil strips. As explained in moredetail later herein, each selection results in a different totalelectrical resistance for the foil strips and also results in adifferent electric current to the foil strips. The different electricalresistances cause different amounts of heat to be generated by the foilstrips. The different amounts of heat cause different colors to begenerated by the foil strips. In this implementation, one color isgreen, a second color is yellow and a third color is red. One example ofa foil type of material is a silver nylon fabric.

When the color producing material 114 is a gel, the gel produces heatwhen an electrical current flows through the gel. When the gel producesheat, the gel changes color. The color that the gel produces isdependent on the amount of electrical current flowing through the gel.The amount of electrical current flowing through the gel is controlledby the selector component 112, typically by selecting differentelectrical resistances, as explained later herein. The selection of thedifferent electrical resistances is controlled by the frequency or rangeof frequencies of the radio frequency signal from the mobile electronicdevice 104. One frequency or range of frequencies results in the gelturning a green color, another frequency or range of frequencies resultsin the gel turning a yellow color and yet another frequency or range offrequencies results in the gel turning a red color.

When the color producing material 114 is a foil type of material, insome implementations, the foil type of material may cover a large areaof the credit card, for example on the entire front of the credit card.In other implementations, the foil type of material may cover a smallerarea of the credit card, for example an area comprising the edges of thecredit card. Similarly, when the color producing material is a chemicalgel, the gel may cover a large area of the credit card or may cover onlya small area of the credit card.

When the color producing material 114 is a mechanical device, themechanical device displays color by changing an orientation of themechanical device. In a typical implementation using a mechanicaldevice, the mechanical device comprises a series of contiguousmulti-sided panels that have a different color on each panel side. Oneside of each panel is oriented to a front of the credit card. The panelsrotate in unison to display a different side of the multi-sided panels,and therefore to display a different color.

FIG. 2 shows an example implementation 200 of an electrical circuit fora foil type color producing material on credit card 106. The exampleimplementation 200 includes the power source 110, three switches 202,206 and 210 and three foil strips 204, 208 and 212. The three switches202, 206 and 210 comprise the selector component 112 and the three foilstrips 204, 208, 212 comprise the color producing material 114. Theswitches may be electrical relays, semiconductor switches or other typesof electrical switching devices.

In the example implementation 200, switches 202, 206 and 210 areinitially open. When the switches 202, 206 and 210 are open, no currentflows through foil strips 204, 208 and 212. In the exampleimplementation 200, the foil strips 204, 208 and 212 are identical, eachhaving a same value of electrical resistance. When the RFID tag 108receives a radio frequency signal at a first frequency from the mobileelectronic device 104, the RFID tag 108 generates a control signal thatcauses switch 202 of the selector component 112 to close. When switch202 closes, electric current flows from power source 110 through foilstrip 204 and back to the power source 110. When the electric currentflows through foil strip 204, the foil strip 204 heats up and changescolor. For example, the electrical resistance of foil strip 204 may beselected such that when an electric current flows through foil strip204, foil strip 204 produces a green color.

In the example implementation 200, when the RFID tag 108 receives aradio frequency signal at a second frequency from the mobile electronicdevice 104, the RFID tag 108 generates a control signal that causes bothswitch 202 and switch 206 of the selector component 112 to close. Whenswitches 202 and 206 are both closed, electric current flows from powersource 110 through foil strips 204 and 208 and back to power source 110.Because electric current flows through foil strips 204 and 208, there isnow twice the electrical resistance in the circuit as for when the firstfrequency or first frequency range of radio frequency signals wasreceived. As a result, more heat is produced and a different color, forexample yellow, is produced.

Similarly, when the RFID tag 108 generates a radio frequency signal at athird frequency, switches 202, 206 and 212 are all closed, causing anelectric current to flow though each of foil strips 204, 208 and 212.There is now three times the electrical resistance in the circuit as forwhen the first frequency or first frequency range of radio frequencysignals was received. As a result, more heat is produced and a differentcolor, for example red, is produced by the foil strips.

In the example implementation 200, switches 202, 206 and 210 may bemechanical relays or solid state relays. In other implementationssimilar to implementation 200, a series of semiconductor switches may beused. The semiconductor switches typically require less power and aresmaller than the mechanical and solid-state relays.

FIG. 3 shows another example implementation 300 of an electrical circuitfor a foil type color producing material on credit card 106. The exampleimplementation 300 includes power source 110, switches 302, 304 and 306and foil strips 308, 310 and 312. Switches 302, 304 and 306 compriseselector component 112. Foil strips 308, 310 and 312 comprise colorproducing material 114. In the example implementation 300, foil strips308, 310 and 312 are identical and each has a same value of electricalresistance. However, in implementation 300, switches 302, 304 and 306are arranged in parallel. When switch 302 is closed, electric currentflows through foil strip 308. When switch 304 is closed, electriccurrent flow through foil strip 310 and when switch 306 is closed,electric current flows through foil strip 312. When one switch isclosed, for example switch 302, foil strip 308 heats up and produces onecolor, for example green. When two switches are closed, for exampleswitches 302 and 304, foil strips 308 and 310 both heat up. Because moreheat is generated, a second color, for example yellow is produced. Whenthree switches are closed, for example switches 302, 304 and 306, foilstrips 308, 310 and 312 all heat up, producing a third color, forexample red.

In another example implementation 300 using the configuration of FIG. 3,foil strips 308, 310 and 312 may be different. For example, foil strip310 may have two times the electrical resistance of foil strip 308 andfoil strip 312 may have three times the electrical resistance of foilstrip 308. In this implementation only one of switches 302, 304 and 306is closed. When switch 302 is closed, electrical current flows throughfoil strip 308, producing a first value of heat and displaying a firstcolor, for example green. When switch 304 is closed, electrical currentflows through foil strip 310 producing a second value of heat greaterthan the first value of heat and displaying a second color, for exampleyellow. The second value of heat is greater than the first value of heatbecause the electrical resistance of foil strip 310 is two times theelectrical resistance of foil strip 308. Similarly, when switch 306 isclosed, electrical current flows through foil strip 312 producing athird value of heat greater than the second value of heat and displayinga third color, for example red.

Configurations similar to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may also be usedwhen the color producing material 114 is a color producing gel. In thiscase, the foil strips 204, 208 and 212 and the foil strips 308, 310 and312 may be used to provide electrical resistance to limit current to thecolor producing gel. When different values of electrical current areapplied to the color producing gel, the color producing gel producesdifferent colors. For example, the electrical current may be such thatthe gel produces colors green, yellow and red. In these configurations,the color producing gel may be applied to a large area of the creditcard (for example the entire front of the credit card) or to smallerareas of the credit card. The foil strips 204, 208, 212, 308, 310 and312 may be configured such that they do not display color. For examplethe foil strips may be embedded within the credit card or covered with athin opaque film.

FIG. 4 shows an example system 400 that supports a color changing creditor debit card having a mechanical color display device. The examplesystem 400 includes the server computer 102, the mobile electronicdevice 104 and a credit card 402. The credit card 402 includes an RFIDtag 404, a power source 406, a switching component 408 and a mechanicalcolor display 410.

The RFID tag 404 and power source 406 are similar to RFID tag 108 andpower source 110, respectively. The switching component 408 provides ameans to switch electrical current on an off from the power source 406to the mechanical color display 410.

The mechanical color display 410 is a plurality of multi-sidedmechanical panels, typically three-sided panels, each side having adifferent color. One side of each of the multi-sided panels faces thefront of the credit card to display a first color, for example green.Each of the multi-sided panels may be simultaneously rotated to displaya different color, for example yellow or red.

FIG. 5 shows an example three-sided panel 500. The three-sided panel hasthree rectangular shaped sides. One example side 502 is positioned sothat the side 502 is flush with the front of the credit card. Theexample side 502 is of a first color, for example green. The other twosides are of different colors, for example yellow and red. When thethree-sided panel is rotated 120 degrees, a second color, for exampleyellow, becomes flush with the front of the credit card. When thethree-sided panel is rotated another 120 degrees, a third color, forexample red, becomes flush with the front of the credit card.

FIG. 6 shows an example configuration 600 of the mechanical colordisplay 410. In the example configuration 600, five contiguousmulti-sided panel display devices 602, 604, 606, 608 and 610 are shown.Each of the five contiguous multi-sided panel display devices areconfigured so that each multi-sided panel display device has the samecolor that is flush with the front of the credit card. Each of themulti-sided panel displays is rotated 120 degrees simultaneously so thata different colored panel, for example yellow, is flush with the frontof the credit card. Each time the multi-sided panel displays is rotateda different color is displayed—either green, red or yellow. Other colorsmay be used. More, fewer or different sized multi-sided panels may beused.

FIG. 7 shows an example implementation 700 of an electrical circuit fora mechanical color display on credit card 106. The exampleimplementation 700 includes the power source 406, the switchingcomponent 408 and the mechanical color display 410. The switchingcomponent 408 includes an example switch 702. The switch 702 may be amechanical relay, a solid state relay, a semiconductor switch or anothertype of switching device.

In an example implementation, the panels of the mechanical color display710 are configured to rotate 120 degrees each time switch 702 is closed.So, for example, as long as switch 702 moves from an open to a closedposition, the panels of the mechanical color display 710 rotate 120degrees. When the switch 702 is released to an open position and thenmoved again to a closed position, the panels of the mechanical colordisplay 710 rotate an additional 120 degrees.

In this example implementation, each range of radio frequency signalsreceived at the RFID tag 404 causes a different number of pulses to begenerated at the switching component 408. In some implementations, thepulses are generated on the RFID tag 404. In other implementations, thepulses are generated on the switching component 408 or on asemiconductor chip (not shown) external to the RFID tag 404 and theswitching component 408.

The financial software application on the mobile electronic device 104keeps track of a current state of the mechanical color display 410 anddetermines which range of frequencies to send to the RFID tag 404. Forexample, if the mechanical color display 410 is currently displayinggreen, representing a good credit card balance, but the current statusof the credit card balance is borderline, the mobile electronic device104 sends to the RFID tag 404 a radio frequency signal that causes themechanical color display 410 to rotate 120 degrees. Rotating themechanical color display 410 120 degrees from a state in which green isdisplayed causes the mechanical color display 410 to display a yellowcolor, indicating a borderline credit card balance. Similarly, when themechanical color display 410 currently displays a green color and thecurrent credit card balance is over the limit, the mobile electronicdevice 104 sends to the RFID tag 404 a radio frequency signal thatcauses the mechanical color display to rotate 240 degrees, correspondingto two rotations of 120 degrees.

In another example implementation, the panels of the mechanical colordisplay 410 rotate based on time duration of the electric current at themechanical color display 410. In this implementation, when electriccurrent is applied to the mechanical color display 410 for a firstpredetermined time duration, the multi-sided panels of the mechanicalcolor display 410 rotate 120 degrees. When electric current is appliedto the mechanical color display 410 for two times the firstpredetermined time duration, the multi-sided panels of the mechanicalcolor display 410 rotate a total of 240 degrees. In this exampleimplementation, the range of radio frequency signals received at theRFID tag 404 determines the time duration of the electrical signal andthe number of degrees to which the multi-sided panels of the mechanicalcolor display 410 are rotated.

FIG. 8 shows an example system 800 that supports a color changing creditor debit card with an electronic display component. The example system800 includes the server computer 102, the mobile electronic device 104and a credit card 502. The credit card 802 includes an RFID tag 804, apower source 806, a selector component 808 an electronic displaycomponent 810.

The RFID tag 804 and power source 806 are similar to RFID tag 108 andpower source 110, respectively. The selector component 808 provides ameans to select a particular image on the electronic display component810. The electronic display component 810 is typically a low-powerliquid crystal display (LCD) that can display a plurality of imagesrelated to a current credit card balance for a user. For example, onedisplay image show an image indicating a good balance (for example asmiley image), a second image may show an image indicating a borderlinebalance (for example a caution image) and a third image an imageindicating an over limit balance (for example a sad face image or a stopsign). Other images are possible.

In an example implementation, the RFID tag 804 or the selector component808 may include circuitry that activates a signal line corresponding toa particular credit account status. For example, when the RFID tag 804receives a radio signal from the mobile electronic device 104 at afrequency range indicating a good balance, the RFID tag 804 or theselector component 808 may activate a signal line corresponding to agood balance. When this signal line is received at the electronicdisplay component 810, the electronic display component 810 displays animage representing a good credit card balance. Similar signal lines areactivated corresponding to borderline and over limit balances. Thesignal lines corresponding to the borderline and over limit balances areactivated based on corresponding frequency ranges of the radio frequencysignal received at the RFID tag 804 from the mobile electronic device104.

In some implementations, the electronic display component 810 may depicta fuel gauge or other type of status indicator. For example, when goodbalance is to be displayed, the fuel gauge may be displayed as full.When a borderline balance is to be displayed, the fuel gauge may bedisplayed as low. Similarly, when an over limit balance is to bedisplayed, the fuel gauge may be displayed as empty.

In some implementations, a communication scheme like Near FieldCommunications (NFC) may be used to communicate with the credit card.NFC is a set of standards for mobile electronic devices such as smarttelephones to establish radio communication with a device that supportsNFC. The radio communications are established by touching the devicestogether or bringing the devices into close proximity with each other,for example within a few inches of each other. When NFC is used, thecredit card may include a processor or other components that supportsNFC.

With NFC, a communications session may be established between the smarttelephone and the credit card. Once a communications session isestablished, credit card account status information may be transmittedfrom the smart telephone to the credit card via the NFC connection. NFCobviates the need for the smart telephone to generate a specificfrequency for a specific credit card account status. The credit cardaccount status is transmitted to the credit card via NFC connection.

In some implementations, in addition to displaying a color on a creditcard corresponding to the user's credit card account status, the smarttelephone may play music that may be associated with a particular creditcard account status. For example, if the user's credit card balance isborderline, indicating that a yellow color is to be displayed on thecredit card, the user's smart telephone may play a song or other musicassociated with the yellow color. For example, the song “The Yellow Roseof Texas” may be played on the user's smart telephone. Similarly, a songassociated with the color green, for example “Greensleeves” may beplayed for a good credit card account status and music associated withthe color red may be played for an over limit credit card accountstatus.

For all implementations described herein, power is off on the creditcard until activated by the mobile electronic device 104. The powersource 110 only provides the electric current when the RFID tag on thecredit card receives a radio frequency signal from the mobile electronicdevice 104 that is within an expected frequency range for the RFID tag.Typically, the radio frequency signal from the mobile electronic device104 is only activated for a predetermined amount of time, for example 30seconds. Other predetermined times may be used. After the predeterminedamount of time expires, the switches on the credit card open and theelectric circuit from the power source 110 is broken. This limits apower drain on the power source 110. A user may adjust the predeterminedtime via the financial software application on the mobile electronicdevice. The user may also configure a preset time during the day duringwhich the credit card account status is displayed.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a method 900 for initiating from a mobileelectronic device a display of a user's credit card account status onthe users's credit card. In method 900, the mobile electronic device isa smart telephone.

At operation 902, the user, typically an owner of the credit card,activates a financial software application on the smart telephone. Thefinancial software application is activated when the user presses anicon corresponding to the financial software application.

At operation 904, the user selects a credit card status function on thefinancial software application. In some implementations, the userpresses a button or an icon corresponding to the credit card statusfunction. In other implementations, a credit card status icon isdisplayed on a home page of the credit card. In these otherimplementations, the user may simply press the credit card icon orbutton without needing to activate the financial software application.

At operation 906, a request for credit card status for the user is sentto a server computer, for example to server computer 102. The servercomputer is a server computer at a bank or other financial institution.Identification information for the user is sent along with the request.In some implementations, the identification information, for example abank account number and password for the user, is pre-programmed intothe smart telephone. This permits the user to initiate with the requestfor credit card status by simply pressing the credit card status icon orbutton on the smart telephone. In other implementations, for examplewhen the user initiates the request for credit card status from thefinancial software application, the user may need to enter or select theaccount number and password.

At operation 908, credit card status for the user is obtained from theserver computer. In some implementations, the credit card statuscomprises a field in a response message from the server computer. Inthese implementations, the field may have one of three values—one value,for example the number 1, indicates a good credit card account status,another value, for example the number 2, indicates that a currentbalance for the credit card is near the credit card limit or a thirdvalue, for example the number 3, indicates a bad or over limit creditcard status. In other implementations, the server computer may return anactual credit card balance and a credit card limit for the user. Inthese implementations, the financial software application on the smarttelephone may determine the credit card status from the actual creditcard balance and credit card limit.

At operation 910, the smart telephone generates a radio frequency signalcorresponding to the credit card status. The radio frequency signal maycomprise one of three frequencies. One frequency corresponds to a goodcredit card status, a second frequency corresponds to a borderlinecredit card status and a third frequency to an over limit credit cardstatus.

The frequencies correspond to matching frequencies or frequency rangeson the user's credit card. The intent is to send the credit card statusinformation to the user's credit card and not to another person's creditcard. An RFID device on the user's credit card is configured to matchthe frequencies sent from the user's smart telephone.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of a method 1000 for displaying a colorrepresenting a credit card account status on a credit card. The methodis typically initiated via a financial software application on a mobileelectronic device such as a smart telephone, as discussed above for FIG.9.

At operation 1002, a radio frequency signal is received by an RFIDdevice on the user's credit card. The radio frequency signal is at aspecific frequency or within a range of frequencies corresponding to acredit card account status for the user.

At operation 1004, an electric current is activated to one or more colorproducing components on the user's credit card. In an implementationwhere the color producing components comprise foil strips on the creditcard, the electric current is activated when an electronic switch,typically a solid state relay or a semiconductor switch, switches one ormore foil strips into an electric circuit with a power source, forexample as shown in FIG. 2. The more foil strips switched into theelectric circuit, the higher the electrical resistance of the electriccircuit. The higher the electrical resistance, the more heat that isproduced. As discussed earlier herein, different levels of heat producedifferent colors.

In an implementation where the color producing components comprise achemical gel, switching electrical resistance into an electric circuitwith the power source and the chemical gel causes less electric currentto flow through the chemical gel. Switching electrical resistance out ofthe electric circuit causes more electric current to flow through thechemical get. Differing levels of electric current result in differentlevels of heat though the chemical gel and thus different colors areproduced.

In an implementation where the color producing material comprises amechanical display, activating the electric current comprises switchingelectrical current to the mechanical display. In some implementations,the electric current comprises electric pulses to the mechanicaldisplay. In other implementations the electric current is a steady stateelectric current. The electric current is applied to the mechanicaldisplay via a switch, typically a solid state relay or a semiconductorswitch.

At operation 1008, the color producing material displays a colorcorresponding to the credit card limit status. For example, aspreviously discussed, green may be displayed for a good credit cardstatus, yellow may be displayed for a borderline credit card status andred may be displayed for a bad credit card status. When the colorproducing material is a foil strip, the color is produced when the foilstrip is heated by the electric current through the foil strip. When thecolor producing material is a chemical gel, the color is produced whenelectricity flows through the chemical gel and heats the chemical gel.When the color producing material is a mechanical display, the color isproduced when the mechanical panels of the mechanical display rotate.Each rotation displays a different color, as explained earlier herein.

As illustrated in example FIG. 11, the mobile electronic device 104includes at least one central processing unit (“CPU”) 1102, a systemmemory 1108, and a system bus 1122 that couples the system memory 1108to the CPU 1102. The system memory 1108 includes a random access memory(“RAM”) 1110 and a read-only memory (“ROM”) 1112. A basic input/outputsystem that contains the basic routines that help to transferinformation between elements within the mobile electronic device 104,such as during startup, is stored in the ROM 1112. The mobile electronicdevice 104 further includes a mass storage device 1114. The mass storagedevice 1114 is able to store software instructions and data. A centralprocessing unit, system memory and mass storage device similar to thatin FIG. 11 are also included in server computer 102.

The mass storage device 1114 is connected to the CPU 1102 through a massstorage controller (not shown) connected to the system bus 1122. Themass storage device 1114 and its associated computer-readable datastorage media provide non-volatile, non-transitory storage for themobile electronic device 104. Although the description ofcomputer-readable data storage media contained herein refers to a massstorage device, such as a hard disk or solid state disk, it should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that computer-readable datastorage media can be any available non-transitory, physical device orarticle of manufacture from which the central display station can readdata and/or instructions.

Computer-readable data storage media include volatile and non-volatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any method ortechnology for storage of information such as computer-readable softwareinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Exampletypes of computer-readable data storage media include, but are notlimited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid statememory technology, CD-ROMs, digital versatile discs (“DVDs”), otheroptical storage media, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to store the desired information and which can be accessed bythe server computer 102.

According to various embodiments of the invention, the mobile electronicdevice 104 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to remote network devices through the network 1120, such asa wireless network, the Internet, or another type of network. The mobileelectronic device 104 may connect to the network 1120 through a networkinterface unit 1104 connected to the system bus 1122. It should beappreciated that the network interface unit 1104 may also be utilized toconnect to other types of networks and remote computing systems. Themobile electronic device 104 also includes an input/output controller1106 for receiving and processing input from a number of other devices,including a touch user interface display screen, or another type ofinput device. Similarly, the input/output controller 1006 may provideoutput to a touch user interface display screen or other type of outputdevice.

As mentioned briefly above, the mass storage device 1114 and the RAM1110 of the mobile electronic device 104 can store software instructionsand data. The software instructions include an operating system 1118suitable for controlling the operation of the mobile electronic device104. The mass storage device 1114 and/or the RAM 1110 also storesoftware instructions, that when executed by the CPU 1102, cause themobile electronic device 104 to provide the functionality of the mobileelectronic device 104 discussed in this document. For example, the massstorage device 1114 and/or the RAM 1110 can store software instructionsthat, when executed by the CPU 1102, cause the mobile electronic device104 to display received financial data on the display screen of themobile electronic device 104.

Although various embodiments are described herein, those of ordinaryskill in the art will understand that many modifications may be madethereto within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it isnot intended that the scope of the disclosure in any way be limited bythe examples provided.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method implemented on an electronic device, themethod comprising: receiving a signal of a specific frequency thatcorresponds to a financial account status of a user; producing anelectric current based on the specific frequency; applying the electriccurrent to one or more color producing components on the electronicdevice; and as a result of applying the electric current to the one ormore color producing components of the electronic device, causing theone or more color producing components to produce a color in theelectronic device, wherein the one or more color producing componentscomprise mechanical panels, the mechanical panels comprising a pluralityof sides, each side of the plurality of panels being of a differentcolor, and wherein the color that is produced corresponds to thefinancial account status of the user.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe financial account status of the user can comprise one of a goodstatus, a borderline status or an over a limit status.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the signal is a radio frequency signal.
 4. The methodof claim 3, wherein applying the electric current to the one or morecolor producing components comprises using the radio frequency signal tocontrol an activation of the electric current to the one or more colorproducing components.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein controlling anactivation of the electric current to the one or more color producingcomponents comprises using the electric current to control a selectionof the one or more color producing components.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the electrical current causes the mechanical panels to rotate toa different side so that a different color is displayed on themechanical panels than was displayed before the electric current wastransmitted to the mechanical panels.
 7. An electronic device, theelectronic device comprising: a radio frequency identification (RFID)device for receiving a signal of a specific electrical frequency thatcorresponds to a financial account status of a user; a power source; oneor more color producing components, the one or more color producingcomponents comprising wires or foil strips; and one or more switchingcomponents that control a selection of one or more of the wires or foilstrips, wherein the one or more color producing components are activatedby an electric current that is derived from the specific electricalfrequency received at the RFID device, the electric current causing theone or more color producing components to produce a color thatcorresponds to the financial account status for the user.
 8. Theelectronic device of claim 7, wherein the wires or foil strips produce acolor when an electric current passes through the wires or foil strips.